Under the Weather Chicken-less Chicken Soup

I woke up today feeling a bit under the weather.  Sore throat, tired, headachey and just blah.  But, due to one of the children I work with also being under the weather, I had the fortuitous luck to be able to go back to bed and spend the morning at home.  And I wanted soup.  

I grabbed a couple carrots, an onion, celery and a few cloves of garlic, and within a half an hour I had something soothingly reminiscent of that traditional feel better food Chicken Soup. Obviously, there's no chicken in my soup.  But I'd like to think it will help me feel better. 

Under the Weather Chickenless Chicken Soup

Serves 4 - 6

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 celery stems, washed and sliced

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 small head of broccoli, or one half larger head, florets separated

4 cloves of garlic

3 cups of vegetable broth

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup canned chickpeas

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

Heat olive oil in large saucepan.  Chop onion, and saute on medium-high heat.  Add carrots and celery, and saute until vegetables are tender.  Add broccoli and garlic.  Cook for two minutes, and then add vegetable broth and diced tomatoes.  Add chickpeas and seasonings, and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender and soup is hot.  Enjoy.